Adventuring: Tales From the Unbeaten Path

Cassius Del a'Rosenburg

My name is Cassius Del a'Rosenburg. I am a lordling and the next in line for my family title and the lands surrounding us. Or... I was. I became a knight to avoid wedding a lady from another merchant land, forfeiting my right to such claims. It wasn't her fault. I am just... An unfortunate case.

I am the tarnishing mark on my family's name. They don't hesitate to remind me of their disappointment. Or question my attraction. Suggest lords I could have married in her stead. Sneer at my traveling companion like he is a poison that flows through my veins. It sickens me to return home, so I merely avoid it. What I can't avoid, however, are family gatherings.

So here I am, mingling with people of the Del a'Thorin and Del a'Rosenburg families and their extended families and their extended families and so on. A glass of some foreign wine imported from abroad tides my forming migraine as I hear an abrupt and cacophonic exclamation from the center of the elaborate and unnecessarily large ballroom.

I turn my attention towards the sound, wondering if now is the time to slip out when I see my young cousin donning men's clothes, and short choppy hair, and a proud grin. I felt my glass slip from my fingers as she introduced herself to the family for the second time.

"My name is Ezra Del a'Thorin and I am next in line for the title of my family. I plan to be the next Del a'Thorin Lord."

Lord?

Oh.

I saw the horror and understanding slowly dawn on family members one by one. My mother turned to find me, her eyes screaming to blame my companion and myself for this 'shameful' display. I shrug and peel myself off the wall, walking towards the newly proclaimed lordling. Once I was in front of Ezra, I held out my hand and raised a brow. "May I ask if this means you'll be going by he and him now, or is there a different set you'd prefer?"

I could feel eyes burning into my back and ignored them, despite how sick they made me feel. Ezra beamed at me and took my hand firmly in his. "Those will work just fine, dearest cousin."

I gave a tired smile and retracted my hand. "Welcome to the family then, Ezra. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

The sounds of outrage grew too loud to ignore and I turned to face them, further disgracing myself by how accepting I proved to be. Whatever. I was never going to regain their favor anyway. Not after willingly lowering my status and shunning my parents.

I turn away from everyone and begin walking towards the large double-door entrance. I flung the doors open and left for the stables. Thoroughly exhausted, I took a moment to center myself. These things always sapped the energy from my bones. However, now was as good a time as any to make my exit and return to my companions' side, and that thought kept me going. Besides, we had things to do and training to complete. Well... I had training to complete. He just had to sit and watch and tease me.

A groan escaped my lips as I found myself in front of my horse. At least the most tiring thing I would have to do is work on my swordplay.

That's what I had thought, until a few days later I received a summons from my aunt.

>>>~<<<

Ezra's mother was an anxious creature, always fretting over her children and husband. She was like a small bird, caged by luxury and beating its wings against the gold-leafed bars. I came moreso out of sympathy than true loyalty. I feel nothing for any of the Del a'Thorins or the Del a'Rosenburgs. Well... Almost nothing. I still did as she requested, appearing right around tea time and making my way to her extensive gardens.

"Greetings Lady Del a'Thorin," I bowed before her, sinking to a knee.

"Oh, dear! Please do get off the ground, Cassie darling!" She rose quickly and fretfully tutted as she tugged at my arm. I rose at the slight pull and offered an apology. "I'm your auntie, darling. No more of this nonsense!"

I bit back the typical response I offer most other family members, a scathing remark about my status, and simply nodded. "As you wish, auntie. Do tell me why I've been summoned," I requested, genuine curiosity leaking into my chilled words.

"It's Ele- ah..." She bit her lip and leaned against my arm, looking faint. "Ezra," she breathed out a bit desperately. "My darling child," she whimpered, near tears.

I felt myself stiffen, the icy chill returning. "What about him," I asked pointedly.

"H-"' She swallowed hard, choking on the word. "He wishes to... to..."

I halfway expected the worse possible thing to have happened to Ezra with how her Ladyship was acting when she finally burst out with a cry, "He wishes to become an adventurer!" A sob escaped her quivering lips and she sagged against me, forcing me to hold her up and slowly walk her to a chair.

"Sit, auntie. Maintain your strength and explain, please." I tried to keep my voice soft, but frustration was filling me to the brim. I didn't see what my young cousin becoming an adventurer had to do with me. Or how it was so terrible.

"Please, dearest! You must, you are... You are a knight in training," she stated plainly, her voice suddenly commanding. Though her lip quivered and tears rolled down her paled cheeks, she looked at me sternly, nose tilted up and I was reminded of even her disappointment at my announcement. My eyes narrowed and I withdrew from her, waiting to see where this was going. "I... I will pay you handsomely if you follow El-" She coughed and looked away. "Ezra. Sh-... He is small and has never left this land unguarded. And now..." She wiped her eyes daintily and scoffed. "An adventurer! How ridiculous... But he is incessant about it. About proving that she can do anything a real man can do!" Tears were forming once again but I found myself quickly losing sympathy.

"I will guard him but I expect payment up front." I turned away. "If there is nothing else, I have business to attend to. Send a letter to the tavern I reside at when it gets time for him to leave. I expect the payment to be received at the same time." I paused and turned towards her. "And he is still your child. He simply has discovered who he is and has found joy in it. You'd do well to accept him lest you lose him."

"Do you speak from experience," she asked haughtily and I narrowed my eyes.

"Yes. I do. Just ask my mother."